February 2nd, 2012 WITH REGRET AMANDA CANCELS QUEBEC TOUR DUE TO EXPECTANT TWINS It is with sincerest regrets that I have had to cancel my concerts in Quebec this weekend. I am expecting twins and have been given strict doctors orders of bedrest to prevent premature delivery. My sincerest apologies to Centennial Theatre and Palais Montcalm who had invited us and to ticket holders who had booked to come and hear us. I really want to make this up to you and thank you for your understanding and support. Amanda xo
November 5th, 2011 INTRODUCING CIGALA Y TANGO! What a thrill to introduce Diego el Cigala for his debut in Toronto at the RCM's Koerner Hall. He left everyone with huge grins on their faces..what a voice..what a band. Such a thrill to meet him in person! Bravo!
November 2nd, 2011 VISITING SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES MEXICO! Just returned from two beautiful weeks in Mexico. The first was spent in Mexico City where I witnessed my beautiful cousin's marriage and then went to visit Aldeas Infantiles SOS Mexico. I got to meet some amazing children and see first hand the incredible work SOS Children's Villages does to support young people. For more info go to http://www.aldeasinfantiles.org.mx/co...
September 30th, 2011 ANDALUSIA TO TORONTO What a treat to perform again at Koerner Hall as part of Andalusia to Toronto. It was an amazing experience to share the stage with so many great musicians including Michal Cohen from Israel!
September 16th, 2011 PERFORMANCE AT ART OF SOUND! My band and I had a ton of fun performing for Art of Sound - a reception at Toronto's International Film Fest hosted by Women in Film & TV and CBC.
August 8th, 2011 BREATHTAKING MUSIC! I had the pleasure of listening to some amazing artists this weekend at Harbourfront's What's Classical. Highlights included Sarah Slean and her 21 piece orchestra, Quartango and Philidelphia's Time for Three!
August 6th, 2011 HOSTING HARBOURFRONT'S WHAT IS CLASSICAL Come on down to Toronto's beautiful Harbourfront centre to experience tons of amazing classical music this weekend. From Quartango and Art of Time Ensemble to Sarah Slean and her 21 piece orchestra...there is a ton to devour! I have the pleasure of hosting all weekend long and look forward to seeing you!
July 25th, 2011 AMANDA PERFORMS FOR SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES I will be giving a very special performance this Wednesday July 27th for SOS Children's Villages. To attend please rsvp to info@amandamartinez.ca Limited seating The evening is hosted by Liza Fromer and also features Rachel Persaud.
July 22nd, 2011 FROM SPAIN WITH LOVE! I am very honored to have some of my music chosen for the new delicious TV series From Spain with Love, hosted by the beautiful Annie Sibonney. Check out http://www.foodnetwork.ca/ontv/shows/... Tune in Thursdays and Saturdays to the Food Network!
July 20th, 2011 HOT HOT HOT! It is hot hot hot in Toronto and it will be hot hot hot at Jane Bunnett and Hilario Duran's cd release tonight. I will be there along with Laura Fernandez, Eliana Cuevas, Luis Mario Ochoa and Alberto Alberto ! I hope you can make it!
July 17th, 2011 MEL LASTMAN - CULTURA FESTIVAL! Thanks so much for everyone who came out to Mel Lastman square! We had such a lovely time! Thanks also to Strellson who provided the wardrobe for my handsome band! :)
July 15th, 2011 VIVA MEXICO! What a treat! We had a sold out show at Harbourfront's Brigantine Room this past Sunday and I had the pleasure of hosting some amazing shows all weekend! Here is a pic of the final show on the West Jet Stage- what colours and beautiful energy to celebrate Mexico!
July 15th, 2011 CULTURA- FREE CONCERT FRIDAY NIGHT! I am very excited to be part of Cultura 2011 celebrating the diverse music we have in Toronto! Our free show starts at 7:30pm this Friday July 15th at Mel Lastman Square- just 2 blocks north of Sheppard! Hope to see you!
June 30th, 2011 CORAZON DE MEXICO FESTIVAL! I am very excited to be hosting Harbourfront's Corazon de Mexico Festival July 8-10th as well as performing with my trio on Sunday July 10th! I hope you will come down to join me and celebrate the delicious food, music and art of my father's country! For info go to http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/wha...
June 5th, 2011 GRACIAS ORANGEVILLE! What a beautiful day we had at the Orangeville Jazz and Blues Festival! Thanks to all of you who came out and to our wonderful host Larry Kurtz for the smooth organization! I also felt lucky our son Leo was in good hands with our friends Matt, Dawn and their beautiful daughters Frankie and Maggie! And the sun stayed out all afternoon!! Up next we take part in the Hispanic Extravaganza at Missassauga's Living Arts Centre June 30th!
May 31st, 2011 SUPPORTING ALLI'S JOURNEY Tomorrow night I am excited to be performing among a great line up of amazing vocalists at Koerner Hall in support of Alli's Jourey to raise money for young people with cancer. Among the line up include Kellylee Evans, Shakura SAida, Era Chorna, Sophie Berkal-Sarbit, and John Alcorn. Ticket prices available at all levels! I hope you can join me!
May 16th, 2011 A MUSICAL WEEKEND! I feel lucky to have shared the stage this weekend with such awesome musicians. On Thursday night we opened Lula World Festival with our special guest Fernando Osorio. What a treat to debut a duet that I wrote with Fernando in Miami. This afternoon was another highlight reuniting with my awesome friend and guitarist Kevin Laliberte as a duo in support of Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Fund. Thanks Murray for inviting us back to be surrounded by your wonderful friends and family!
April 26th, 2011 MIAMI LATIN BILLBOARD CONFERENCE Greetings from the land of sunshine! I am back in Miami to do some more songwriting and attend the Latin Billboard Conference. Last night I had the pleasure of hearing some amazing talent at the ASCAP showcase and had another songwriting session with talented singer songwriter Eduardo Osorio! Stay tuned for news about my upcoming spring shows in May!
March 2nd, 2011 FROM SNOWFLAKES TO SUNSHINE - SONGWRITING IN MIAMI I have spent the last few days in the land of sea and sunshine in Miami. I feel so grateful as I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and humble songwriters and artists. I am really looking forward to taking home with me not only our new creations but their love and commitment to music and some new ways of looking at the songwriting process. I look forward to posting some new music soon. It is almost time to turn back into a snowflake ...
January 31st, 2011 KISS FOR LIFE! Last week I had the pleasure of buying the first Kiss for Life lip balm in support of Sick Kids Hospital's Mother Risk program. Clarins is donating $10 of every purchase of the lip protector to support this amazing program which helps Moms across the country. Here I am with the whole team who put the launch together and Leo who decided to kick his shoes off in support!
January 1st, 2011 HAPPY NEW YEAR! Happy New year!! Wishing you a healthy and happy 2011 of all you dream of including great music!
Every year I look back on I am always amazed by the amazing opportunities and people I have met through music. I really feel lucky by this gift we all share.
I am very excited to announce that Putumayo is launching a new album called Bossa Nova Around the World and it includes a song from my album Amor. Click here to listen! http://www.putumayo.com/en/catalog_it... />
Enjoy!
A xo
December 21st, 2010 HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS! Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a happy and healthy new year! I know this time of year is full of sweets, friends and family...enjoy every moment.
Also a reminder - to donate blood this season. One of our good friends has been saved by the generosity of transfusions and he reminded me of this important gift we can all give.
Feliz Navidad!
Amanda xo
December 8th, 2010 GREETINGS FROM MEXICO Nothing like cafe con leche which Mexico does best. Not to mention the breakfasts....huevos a la mexicana are my favorite. This country of my father's always inspires me...sending you greetings from this magical land.
November 20th, 2010 INSPIRATION FROM NYC AND NEW PUTUMAYO RELEASE! What a treat to experience the charge of New York if only for a few days. My trip there is adding great ideas to my composing and research for the next album. Look forward to keeping you posted as it comes together. Psst...one of the songs from Amor has been chosen for a new Putumayo release ...look forward to sharing soon!
October 21st, 2010 GRACIAS LATCHAM GALLERY! Thank you Latcham Gallery for hosting us at your fundraising gallery. What a lovely evening! Such a lovely space in beautiful Stouffville and such a warm audience. We had a blast! Here is a pic of Drew and I backstage!
For more info go to: http://www.latchamgallery.ca/current_...
October 15th, 2010 THIS WEEKEND BUIKA!! I am very excited to announce that I have the pleasure of introducing one of most inspiring voices to Toronto this weekend. This Saturday October 16th Concha Buika will be making her Canadian debut at Toronto's Koerner Hall from Spain. If you dont have your tickets I urge you to reserve as she is being hailed as the world's emerging world music star. When you hear her chilling voice you will agree. Go to www.buika.net to hear her voice and www.rcmusic.ca for tickets. See you there!
September 27th, 2010 SUNNY DAY IN PORT HOPE! What a lovely afternoon spent at the All Canadian Jazz Festival in Port Hope. Special thanks to Marc Atkinson for joining us on guitar! Thank you again Doug Dickin for capturing us on photo!
September 22nd, 2010 BECAUSE I AM A GIRL CAMPAIGN! Today I had the pleasure of volunteering for Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl Campaign. The national campaign is raising awareness about supporting girls' rights around the world. In many developing countries girls are not given access to basic human rights, education and healthcare. Go to www.becauseIamagirl.ca for more info
What a thrill for me to hand out lemonade with prima ballerina Greta Hodgkinson of the National Ballet! She is as lovely in person as on stage. Looking forward to seeing her perform this November in Cinderella. Here is a pic of us!
September 21st, 2010 SINGING IN BRANTFORD! What a delight to see so many faces for our early concert at noon yesterday in Brantford! Gracias to Frank and Linda for having us back! Afterward I had the pleasure of performing a duet with beautiful singer Rosanna Riverso in Hamilton. What a treat!
Thank you so much to Doug Dickin for all his lovely photography!
September 13th, 2010 PERFORMANCE IN CALEDON IN HONOUR OF LINCOLN ALEXANDER! What a lovely afternoon! We drove up to Caledon for a special performance event to raise money for the Heritage Trust of Canada. Funds were raised in honor of Lincoln Alexander who was among the special guests and really enjoyed the latin music! Thank you so much to our amazing hosts Matt and Dawn and their beautiful daughters for making us feel so at home! Other special guests included Steve Paikin who introduced us and Bob Rae! Here's a pic of Drew and I just outside the beautiful grounds.
September 11th, 2010 HIGHGATE HERE WE COME We are just loading into the van and looking forward to a nice sunny drive up to High Gate Ontario to perform at the Mary Webb Centre.
What fun to perform with special guest trumpeter Lina Allemano! Check out our pic after the show courtesy of photographer Chris Marvell.
Special thanks to Elsa and Peter for hosting us and for the delicious homeade dinner!
September 3rd, 2010 MY NEW VIDEO FROM SOUTH AFRICA RAISING MONEY FOR SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES! I am very excited to release my new music video today! It features the song we wrote in honor of the World Cup opening game- between Mexico and South Africa! Gracias to Paul Nandrajog for all his hard work editing the footage from our trip! I have recently joined forces with SOS Children's Villages www.soschildrensvillages.ca and am donating proceeds for this song to SOS. Simply click on the music section of my site to download the song and support the children and families of SOS Children's Villages. To watch the video scroll below!
August 31st, 2010 THANKS TO DESIGNER DAVID DIXON AND GIRL FRIDAY! Thanks to David Dixon and Girl Friday for outfitting me for South Africa and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Check out David Dixon's funky dress I got to wear made out of metal. Pictured here- Roger Travassos (percussion), Alexander Brown (trumpet), me, Drew Birston (bass) and Kevin Laliberte (guitar). What a blast to perform in my favorite city. Merci beaucoup to all of you who came out for the shows!! You can check out some of the show on my youtube channel.
August 31st, 2010 GRACIAS!! HOME SWEET HOME Back from tour now I have to thank my lucky stars for all the help I received to make it happen. Gracias to Canada Council for the financial assistance, to my amazing band and guests and to my tour manager Jaclyn for all their hard work. Thank you also to some incredible Canadian designers who outfitted me: Girl Friday, David Dixon, Andy the Anh and Jeannie Lottie. Here is a pic of me with Jeannie Lottie's bag I took everywhere, and the Girl Friday dresses one of which is also pictured here.
August 30th, 2010 PERFORMANCE WITH LUIS ENRIQUE MEJIA What a thrill- I got to sing a duet with Luis Enrique Mejia Godoy! He was here from NIcaragua on a Canadian tour. We met at the Edmonton Folk Festival through our mutual friend Pastor and he invited me to sing a song with him when he returned to Ontario. He is a talented musician with a powerful voice, beautiful compositions and mucha charisma! Below he performs one of my favoite songs!
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August 28th, 2010 THE RAIN STAYED AWAY! Thanks so much to the Markham Jazz Festival and Shops at Don Mills!
Both venues hosted us this past weekend and somehow the rain stopped for both performances. Thanks for this pic Greg King and to you for joining us!
August 25th, 2010 WE SANG WITH THE BIRDS ON CANADA AM! Thanks for having us on Canada AM!! You can watch us performing before the birds came out. Thanks to Girl Friday for the beautiful dress!
August 12th, 2010 AMANDA ON BREAKFAST TV TUESDAY MORNING! Yesterday we had the opportunity to perform in Ancaster's Music at Fieldcote. What a beautiful setting ! Driving up we hit rain but by the time soundcheck was over the birds were chirping and the sun was shining. Thank you for joining us.
Tomorrow morning we are up early performing on Breakfast Television- tune in if you are up with the birds! Click on the link to watch and see the Girl Friday dress I wore! http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/...
August 6th, 2010 EDMONTON FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL Back from an amazing time in South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, I'm back touring Canada. Catch my band at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival this weekend! Festival starts August 4th and ends on August 8th. You can click on the "Tour" section to read more information about the times and location of my performances.See you there!
August 6th, 2010 AMANDA PERFORMS AT THE MONTREAL JAZZ FEST Check out Amanda perfoming July 2 at the Montreal Jazz Festival 2010 on the Rio Tinto Alcan Stage:
